Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, is revising planning legislation. It is important that we have a debate on the role of An Bord Pleanála because there are serious examples from all parts of the country of how it operates. What is the composition of An Bord Pleanála? We have received serious complaints about it and we should debate the matter in this House to tease out where the problems are arising. Should An Bord Pleanála be part of local government or separate from it? It would be useful to the Minister to have such a debate before he amends planning legislation.